Mariana Mariana (1987)
A tender and melancholic Mexican coming-of-age drama about a schoolboy's forbidden infatuation with his best friend's mother in 1940s Mexico City.
Mariana Mariana - Movie Information
- Original Title: Mariana Mariana
- Release Year: 1987
- Directed by: Alberto Isaac
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Runtime: 1h 25m
- Original Language: Spanish
- Spoken Languages: Spanish
- Release Date (Theatrical): August 5, 1987 (Mexico)
- Production Companies: Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografía
- Production Countries: Mexico
Mariana Mariana - Plot
The story runs in the 1940s Mexico City. A schoolboy (Carlos) falls in love with his best friend's mother (Mariana). Carlos is impressed because this family is not like the ordinary mexican families of the time, because they have many expensive American things, although they are not rich. The drama begins when Carlos gets out of school to go to declare his love to Mariana, and is discovered by his teachers.
Mariana Mariana - Trailer
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She was his first love, she was his illusion, she was his daydream. Until they taught him that she was his sin too.
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Mariana Mariana - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Alberto Isaac
Main Cast
- Pedro Armendáriz Jr.
- Elizabeth Aguilar
- Saby Kamalich
- Aarón Hernán
- Luis Mario Quiroz
- Juan Carlos Andrews
- Gerardo Quiroz
- José Luis Cruz
- Adolfo Olmos
- Jun Kawabe
Writers
- Vicente Leñero
Producers
- Héctor López Lechuga
Mariana Mariana - FAQs
What is Mariana Mariana about?
Mariana Mariana is a nostalgic coming-of-age drama set in 1940s Mexico City. A young schoolboy named Carlos develops a deep, innocent infatuation with Mariana, his best friend's mother. The story explores first love, longing, and the social boundaries of mid-century Mexican life, told through the lens of memory and youthful desire.
Who directed Mariana Mariana?
Mariana Mariana was directed by Alberto Isaac, a celebrated Mexican filmmaker and cartoonist known for his deeply personal and culturally rooted storytelling. The film is widely considered one of his most intimate works, drawing on the nostalgic atmosphere of mid-20th-century Mexico City with great sensitivity and visual warmth.
Is Mariana Mariana based on a true story?
Mariana Mariana is not based on a specific documented true story, but it carries a strong autobiographical spirit. The screenplay was written by Vicente Leñero, and the film reflects the nostalgic texture of growing up in 1940s Mexico City, drawing on universal experiences of childhood longing, social class, and forbidden admiration.
Who are the main actors in Mariana Mariana?
The film stars Pedro Armendáriz Jr. as the adult Carlos and Elizabeth Aguilar as the enchanting Mariana. Luis Mario Quiroz plays the young Carlos, while Saby Kamalich and Aarón Hernán portray his parents. The supporting cast includes Juan Carlos Andrews, Gerardo Quiroz, José Luis Cruz, Adolfo Olmos, and Jun Kawabe.
What does the ending of Mariana Mariana mean?
The ending of Mariana Mariana carries the bittersweet weight of lost innocence. When Carlos is caught by his teachers attempting to declare his love to Mariana, the moment marks the collision between a child's pure, uncensored feeling and the moral codes of adult society — a turning point where love is reframed as shame.
When was Mariana Mariana released?
Mariana Mariana was released on August 5, 1987, in Mexico. The film was produced with the support of the Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografía, reflecting the era's investment in culturally significant national cinema that explored Mexican identity, memory, and social life through intimate, character-driven storytelling.
What are similar movies to Mariana Mariana?
If Mariana Mariana resonated with you, you might also enjoy Y Tu Mamá También (2001), Amores Perros (2000), and Sex, Shame & Tears (1999) for their Mexican sensibility. For broader coming-of-age classics with similar emotional depth, American Graffiti (1973), Heavenly Creatures (1994), and The Young and the Damned (1950) are excellent picks.
How long is Mariana Mariana?
Mariana Mariana has a runtime of 85 minutes, making it a compact and focused cinematic experience. Its brevity suits the film's intimate tone — every scene feels deliberate and emotionally charged, allowing the story of young Carlos and his forbidden admiration for Mariana to unfold with quiet, unhurried intensity.
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